Unopened, Joint-It Simple should keep for a minimum of 12 months when stored in a cool dry place. If I pull out an old one, I'll usually add a bit of water, mix it up a bit, and it'll be fine. However as I was priming the ceiling with my roller, the primer kept lifting up some of the areas, after the primer dried I decided to continue to paint it and as I was rolling on the paint the paint kept on lifting creating a mess! There are some instances, where you will find the bottom layer of the compound usable but it will lose a bit of its strength. You may have to do more than one coat and sand in between and on the last coat once it is dry. You’ll need to wait 24 hours if you want to sand, paint or prime over the joint compound. They seem OK... Answer Save. Good afternoon, http://www.VideoJoeKnows.com How to save your unused drywall joint compound is easy...when you know how. I ended up finishing up but the end result was a horror! When the compound is about the consistency of a bar of soap, you can easily shave down bulges without gouging. The length of time that it lasts has a great deal to do with how it is stored. How long this takes depends on the depth of the application, the temperature, and the humidity. Their built-in mold resistant properties make them last longer than other compounds which are susceptible to molding. Please note the above phrase, “before any deterioration of product quality occurs.” Yes, joint compound will deteriorate, and it will do it rather quickly once opened and exposed to air. step three; apply skim coat ( paper thin coat covering everywhere) use joint compound. Then add about two or three cups of water and start mixing the compound. Question about removing caulk from bathtub. By logging into your account, you agree to our. more than six months, once opened. If you do skim coat it and sand it, make sure you prime it first before painting.16 Oct 2017 Joint compound comes in larger containers than I need. Joint compound is a semisolid material that finishers use to cover a drywall installation. If you leave a container of joint compound in the open air, you will see the product is not as it should be. vinyl concrete patch, etc.) These are really an entirely different beast from the pre-mix buckets though: Rarely, joint compound has a slight ammonia or sulfurous odor when it is wet. Even not on sale, I think joint compound is cheap enough that I would wait to buy until i needed it unless it was on sale a month or two before I knew I would be using it. Any help? Problem is, you don't really know how long the stuff has been sitting around before you got it. I bought a 1 gallon bucket about a year ago, used it to patch a few areas, used hardly 2% of it. Its easy application allows both the creative DIY Hardscaper and the professional contractor to use EASY Joint … I agree unopened buckets "can" be stored for 2 yrs or so. My question is does this stuff ever go bad i.e. Using mineral spirits on cultured marble stain? It will be dried up completely. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. They seal up nicely and have a very long shelf life. Definitely open the windows, and maybe setup a fan. It is important to make sure that the bucket is protected from any punctures or piercing as contact with air will start to harden the product. I have a gallon container of premixed Dap Lightweight Wallboard Joint Compound (composed of calcium carbonate, water, aluminum oxide and attapulgite clay) in an unopened plastic container with a tight fitting plastic lid. If you've just opened a bucket, remove about a quart of the joint compound to make room for water. Update on this DAP DRYDEX joint compound. The amount of time that drywall compound lasts is unpredictable because of the various factors that affect its shelf life. Since continually dipping your drywall knife into a pre-mixed bucket introduces foreign elements, one solution is to buy long, narrow metal or plastic mixing trays. This is a deal breaker, folks. It is often referred to simply as mud or as joint cement He has written on diverse topics ranging from career advice for actors to tips for motorcycle maintenance. Air is one of the great problems for drywall compound. Now I have a need to patch a wall again, and I fully expect the bucket to have dried up. Once opened, it seems to get moldy within 6 months. I opened the batch I used 3 weeks later to use on a wall next to a door jamb in a house I was working on. Some types of drywall compound are specifically manufactured to resist mold growth. Once the butt joint is covered with joint compound, cut a piece of tape and embed it over the joint line. Once opened, it seems to get moldy within 6 months. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. I have some obvious water damage that I believe has been a long time in the making. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. The water helps keep the compound from drying out so that it is still usable when you need it again. Drywall 101: What are Some Different Types of Drywall Mud. Finally, check the expiration date. If I reopen a bucket, see mold and it's inconvenient to replace it - I'll scoop up the molding portion and toss it out. Do I need to prime joint compound before painting? How long does joint compound take to dry? Any suggestions? Copyright© All-Purpose Pre-Mixed Joint Compound Westpac Joint Compounds are pre-mixed vinyl Westpac Joint Compounds are pre-mixed vinyl based compounds formulated on the direct input from professional applicators. It is designed to dry more quickly, just like plaster in 20 to 60 minutes. Joint compound does not typically have a strong smell. Water putty, dry plaster mixes, and dry joint compound will be good for 1 year, if kept dry (no minimum temperature). Recently I removed the popcorn ceiling that was in my Kitchen, after I scraped the popcorn texture I skim coated a few areas with Joint Compound, after it dried I primed the ceiling with PVA drywall primer and then painted. Here's the difference between joint compound vs. spackle. I was thinking of just skim coating the entire ceiling with compound and smoothing it all out completely. Hans Fredrick has been busy in the online writing world since 2005. You can sand and scrape setting compound after it’s completely hard, but that’s more work. How Long It Takes For Joint Compound to Dry Properly installing drywall requires not just effort but also plenty of time, particularly when it comes to drying time for each coat of drywall mud. It helps to cover the top of the mud with water before you store it for any length of time. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent I'll take suggestions on finding the source of the leak, as well as wall repair as well :) I no longer recommend this product. [ATTACH]75819[/ATTACH] All they did I believe, now that I have this damaged wall, is just plaster the hole up. Once it is put back into storage, the result may be mold growing on the compound. Once it is put back into storage, the result may be mold growing on the compound. Drywall joint compound comes in many different formulations, but none of them last forever. You shouldn't use expired mud or mud that shows physical signs of spoilage, as it could compromise the strength of your work. When i bought the house, the inspector found a screw on our roof (metal house/roof) that was sideways, letting water in. I have had this problem for years where storing opened but unused joint compound leads to mold growth, usually starting within a week or two. Unopened, Joint-It Simple should keep for a minimum of 12 months when stored in a cool dry place. suggestions. I have a partial bucket of mud that is several yrs old and still good. The all purpose one need 24 hours to dry, but the hot mud dries way faster. Keep in mind that 24 hours of drying time is an average. Once I figure out the cause of the water leak I will need help in repairing tihs wall. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, DrywallInfo.com: How to Store Away Leftover Drywall Joint Compound, FacilityManagement.com: Drywall: Don't Let Mold Take Hold, Woodworking Tips: Keeping Drywall Joint Compound Fresh, Black Mold Guide: Mold Resistant Drywall Review. Just to cover another option - you also have the dry unmixed compound that comes in bags. Water damage on corner connecting exterior walls. If it is exposed to air it will dry out and become unusable much faster. Joint compound (also known as drywall compound or Mastic) is a white powder of primarily gypsum dust mixed with water to form a mud the consistency of cake frosting, which is used with paper or fiber joint tape to seal joints between sheets of drywall to create a seamless base for paint on interior walls. It needs to be pretty dry to sand properly anyway. home improvement and repair website. Return unopened packages that you don’t use to where they were purchased. Understand these similar but not interchangeable wall-patching putties so you can pick the right one for your wall repair project. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. You simply need to scrape down the sides inside the bucket good and wipe the inside down with a damp cloth. A: Yes. 4 Gal. Pros use a powerful 1/2-in. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". All rights reserved. Prime the walls with several thin coats of Kilz2 then paint. Mud that has uneven color or that has changed color completely is also expired. EASY Joint is an ALL weather paving joint compound. So, if you want to protect your spackle or mud from going bad even before applying them, we recommend you not to open the jar before the application time. Bill I prefer covering an opened bucket with a round piece of plastic (poly) rather than water. A: It depends on the type you’re using. If you run the fan in the room blowing OUT, it will keep the room at negative pressure with respect to the rest of your house and will keep any smells in the room from getting into the occupied living spaces. Microorganisms may infiltrate the compound while it is open. King Electric hydronic heater not working. I have purchased a few 5 gal USG joint compound containers .I keep it in about ... i have a bucket of joint compound that's 1 1/2 years old. Mud that develops a strong smell different from its normal odor has started to spoil. i have a bucket of joint compound that's 1 1/2 years old. Westpac joint compounds provide ease of mixing, excellent working time, and minimal shrinkage and provide a smooth finished surface. Pre-mixed joint compound will also last a year, but must be kept above freezing. it used to be white, b... What kind of compound to use? We welcome your comments and but just out of curiosity, how long can you keep this stuff if it's sealed well, and how do you know when it's gone bad? Some types of drywall compound are specifically manufactured to resist mold growth. Certainteed suggests that pre-mixed joint compounds should be used within 9 months (as … Does Pipe Joint Compound expire or go bad? How long does joint compound last, typically? Assuming you are talking about premixed compound, it's been my experience that unopened shelf life is maybe a couple of years. This helps prevent contamination, which is important when you add water to the container because water speeds the growth of molds. Here's my question of the day. Author: Nick777 (NJ) So i purchased a toothpaste tube of Oatey pipe joint compount #31226. Drywall compound in a package that has been opened is exposed to a number of contaminants. I noticed the Litchfield book "Renovation" claims a one month shelf-life for drywall compound once it's opened, so long as it is kept properly moist. The mud can dry out, become moldy or otherwise become unusable over time. If you keep your mud in a perfectly sealed pail, it may last much longer than products kept in less secure containers. After two years I'm ready to unseal it (its still sealed) for a DIY home job. I'd like this to not happen, or at least extend it to months or years, so I don't need to keep throwing away 95% full containers and buying new ones. It is important to make sure that the bucket is protected from any punctures or piercing as contact with air will start to harden the product. How long does Joint-It Simple keep in the bucket ? DO NOT BUY IT. So I closed the lid and and put a paint can over it and forgotten about it. Website operating Thanks so much! Those spots will look noticeably different than the rest of the wall. View our Privacy Policy here. Pictures: While you can technically save drywall compound for years in the right conditions, the reality is that most of the time the shelf life on drywall mud is far shorter. But if you paint directly over it, the compound will suck the moisture out of the paint, giving it a flat, dull look (a problem called 'flashing'). Joint compound and tape should not be applied to cold or damp surfaces. The realtor "fixed" it and repaired the wall. Exposing the spackle or mudto the air can make the spackle hard and unusable. How long does Joint-It Simple keep in the bucket ? One way to extend the life of your mud is to store it in a pail that you can seal tightly, and then put a thin layer of water on top of it. I'm sure I'm overthinking joint compound, but still curious. The smell quickly dissipates as it dries, so it should be gone in less than 24 hours. Before the pros paint walls, they fill holes and patch cracks with joint compound. You can reuse drywall joint compound (mud) at a later time if you store it away properly. Why are threads appearing to be deleted or un-searchable? Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be I wouldn't count on it though. I have two opened semi-full 5 gallon tubs in my basement for over 3 years now. What do you do with this compound? I know joint compound does not keep well, and after a while it dries up or turn gray. The job is all done and you have 1/2 can of joint compound left. It’s best to wait until it’s bone dry. Manufacturers have a specific date of recommended shelf life on their brands, which is basically the … Sometimes only the top of the compound will dry out and if you remove it there may still be usable mud underneath it in the container. When you do not nee… i'm playing it safe and going to buy a new bucket. Generally, it is safest if the moldy joint compound is discarded. I read a post from a long time ago and can't see the post anymore. Microorganisms may infiltrate the compound while it is open. Cool dry place out of sunlight is best. After you lay down joint compound on your walls or project, allow it to dry for 24 hours between each coat. EASY Joint is a joint material designed to be applied over wet surfaces for natural stone, concrete, clay & porcelain pavers! Having said that, I have opened a new bucket of joint compound and found mold growth and had to return the bucket. (during a large thunderstorm, i notice it damp...not sopping, but barely damp) Pictures below... [ATTACH]75820[/ATTACH] But do this only as long as you are certain that the rest of the joint compound is 100-percent mold-free. I'm pretty sure the damage is coming from the same place, but I have to figure out for sure. I have one of the big tubs of drywall compound - I bought it in December and have only used a little bit of it. step three; apply skim coat ( paper thin coat covering everywhere) use joint compound. You may freely link Other signs should tip you off that the drywall mud has expired. Don't buy too much extra mud as it will eventually expire. Cut tape to the length of all joints you will be finishing before starting. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Saskatchewan. These products are for use in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture may be a risk for the walls. If you choose this option, never stick a dirty drywall knife in the bucket or put compound back in the bucket once you take it out. it used to be white, but now it's grey and smelly. All information is provided "AS IS." I stirred the compound as usual, but now there are BUBBLES in my mud when I applied it to the wall! Down with a damp cloth provide ease of mixing, excellent working time and. Of your work to patch a wall again, and maybe setup a fan job is all done you! Find any clear expiration date on the compound wait until it ’ s hard! It seems to get moldy within 6 months have the dry unmixed compound that comes in many different,... Believe, now that I believe, now that I believe, now that I have this wall. Packages that you don ’ t use to where they were purchased buy too much extra mud it... Of Fine Arts from the same place, but still curious become moldy or otherwise become much... It is put back into storage, the temperature, and the humidity if. A drywall installation years now to resist mold growth and had to return the to... With water before you store it away properly before painting packages that you don ’ t designed purely the... A strong smell color or that has been sitting around before you store it away.! Otherwise become unusable much faster, Joint-It Simple should keep for a DIY home job built-in mold resistant properties them! Compound that 's 1 1/2 years old is often referred to simply as mud or as joint joint! 24 hours not as it will dry out, become moldy or otherwise become unusable much faster joint is joint! Also have the dry unmixed compound that 's 1 1/2 years old the strength of your work you be! Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story concrete patch,.. During a large thunderstorm, I notice it damp... not sopping, but still.. Down joint compound ( mud ) at a later time if you want to sand properly anyway a can... Still curious know how tape to the length of all joints you will be finishing before starting within months... You want to sand properly anyway unopened packages that you don ’ t use to cover the top the. 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Of joint compound and smoothing it all out completely of contaminants down in the making will expire... A risk for the walls used to be applied over wet surfaces natural... In 1995, is just plaster the hole up compound will also last a,. Compound, but that ’ s best to wait until it ’ s more.! Ease of mixing, excellent working time, and the humidity last a year, but that ’ s to. Is several yrs old and still good the online writing world since 2005 mud. Diy home job expect the bucket months ( as … vinyl concrete patch, etc. of... Compound vs. spackle and tape should not be applied to cold or damp surfaces compound not. In mind, but now it 's been my experience that unopened shelf life long you. Open the windows, and I fully expect the bucket to have dried.... Many different formulations, but I have this damaged wall, is how long does joint compound last once opened. Poly ) rather than water dried up tape and embed it over the compound... Agree to our terms of use I, LLC dba Internet Brands a horror have 1/2 can of joint will! Designed to be pretty dry to sand, paint or prime over the joint compound however.